Human Concerns and Social Justice Commission

Responsible for making recommendations to the Pastor and Parish Council in regards to the pastoral needs of parishioners and the promoting of social justice.

Community Meal Program

St. Maria Goretti parishioners provide lunch once per month for the hungry at St. Paul's University Catholic Center on the UW-Madison Campus. Many parishioners provide a portion of the meal and volunteers transport and serve the food on the second Thursday of each month. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Opportunities are available to prepare food (cost of $10 or less), transport food, set up, serve or clean up. Participation is encouraged in a small or large way as your time permits. Some participants work through their lunchtime. Some are on the substitute list only.

Pastoral Care

FUNERAL LUNCHES
This is a service that is provided to family and friends after the funeral Mass of a parishioner, if it is so requested. Many parishioners are needed to donate salads and desserts. Other parishioners volunteer to prepare, serve and clean up.

HOME EUCHARIST MINISTER

Parish Eucharistic ministers are scheduled to take Communion to the homebound. The Eucharistic minister prays with the homebound parishioner, proclaims the Word of God and distributes Communion.

PARISHIONER TRANSPORT

Volunteers are needed to provide transportation for parishioners to Masses, Confessions and other parish functions.

RESPITE CARE

Parish volunteers provide rest and respite to caregivers of homebound and/or seriously ill family members by providing meals, babysitting, running errands, or staying with the ill member as the caregiver takes a break, etc.

VISITOR TO THE HOMEBOUND/ELDERLY

Volunteers minister to those confined to their homes or retirement/care facilities by visiting, praying with, and supporting family members.

Pro-Life

St. Maria Goretti parish actively supports the right to life of all persons from conception to natural death. Our pro-life organization sponsors pro-life speakers, coordinates annual Wisconsin Right to Life and Dane County Right to Life fund raisers and participates in the Bishop's prayer service for the observance of Respect Life Sunday in October. A living rosary team prays for pro-life intentions on a daily basis. Parishioners are kept informed of pending pro-life legislation.

Weekly Transport of Food Collection to St. Vincent de Paul

A volunteer is needed to deliver the food that has been placed in the barrel in Marian Hall to the St. Vincent de Paul society. This occurs about once a week or as the barrel becomes filled.